RTR(A) Part 2
The DGCA RTR(A) Part 2 practical, explained plainly
DGCA now runs the whole RTR(A). Part 2 is where you stop answering theory questions and actually work the radio: listen, decide, transmit, read back and handle abnormal situations in real time.
Ready Aviator · Reviewed August 2026
Most students do not fail because they lack aviation knowledge. They lose marks by speaking late, missing a readback, burying the important message, or freezing when the situation changes. This page gives you the shape of the test and the skills each part rewards.
What Part 2 is, and who runs it now
RTR(A) means Restricted Radiotelephony Operator certificate. Under the Radio Telephone Operator (Restricted) Certificate and Licence Rules, 2025, DGCA took over conduct of the examination from the WPC wing. The written paper came under DGCA first, and DGCA began conducting the practical from January 2026.
Part 1 checks radio theory and regulations. Part 2 is practical: you operate as the pilot in a simulated radiotelephony environment, responding to Air Traffic Control and showing that you can communicate safely, clearly and in standard phraseology.
The reported exam format
The broad scheme is now widely reported, but some operational detail is not yet settled in material we could verify directly. The table keeps that distinction visible instead of presenting every line with equal certainty.
| Item | Position |
|---|---|
| Practical duration | About 30 minutes (reported) |
| Pass mark | 50% (reported) |
| Attempts | Up to 3 within written validity (reported) |
| Written-paper validity | 3 years (reported) |
| Theory viva | None reported in DGCA-era Part 2 |
| Scenario count | Being confirmed |
| Fixed scenario sequence | Not officially confirmed |
If the three practical attempts are exhausted within the written paper's validity, you have to re-sit the written paper before returning to the practical.
The scenario phases and what each one tests
Coaching reports commonly describe a sequential flow from park to landing. The exact count is being confirmed, but these are the communication jobs you should be able to do. Square-bracketed items are placeholders, not suggested values.
Clearance and parked checks
Listening to information, reading it back accurately, and obtaining start-up, pushback and route clearance.
“<CALLSIGN>, information Alpha received, request start-up and clearance.”
Taxi
Holding-point awareness, taxi instructions, runway crossings and short, accurate readbacks.
“<CALLSIGN>, ready taxi, with information Alpha.”
Departure
Line-up, takeoff clearance, initial heading, altitude and frequency changes.
“<CALLSIGN>, holding short runway <RUNWAY>, ready for departure.”
En-route position and diversion
Position reporting, level reporting, traffic awareness and a clean request when conditions require a diversion.
“<CALLSIGN>, at <POSITION> at <TIME>, maintaining <LEVEL>, requesting diversion.”
Emergency and urgency
Choosing the correct priority call, stating the problem clearly, and giving intentions without losing control of the exchange.
“MAYDAY MAYDAY MAYDAY, <CALLSIGN>, <PROBLEM>, <INTENTIONS>.” PAN PAN follows the same principle for urgency.
Arrival and vacating
Approach, landing, go-around and after-landing exchanges, followed by a safe and accurate vacation of the runway.
“<CALLSIGN>, established on approach, requesting landing clearance.”
MAYDAY is for distress: grave and imminent danger requiring immediate assistance. PAN PAN is for urgency: a condition concerning safety that does not yet meet the distress threshold. Say the priority word three times, identify yourself, state the problem, and give your intention. Do not let the first sentence grow into an unstructured story.
How the exam room works
The reported model is that the examiner plays Air Traffic Control. You receive a scenario brief, then speak as the pilot while the exchange develops. You are graded on clarity, accuracy, procedure, readbacks and how safely you manage priorities.
Reports differ on room setup and whether materials are printed or on screen. Treat those operational details as unconfirmed until you receive official instructions. The transferable skill does not change: understand the situation, decide, then say the necessary thing cleanly.
How to prepare without memorising scripts
Scripts collapse the moment ATC changes a runway or introduces traffic. Prepare patterns instead:
- Learn the standard alphabet, number pronunciation and priority words.
- Read back safety-critical items: runway, heading, altitude or level, frequency, squawk and conditional clearances.
- Practise full flights, not isolated sentences, so taxi, departure, en-route, emergency and arrival flow together.
- Rehearse changing plans, especially diversion requests and deteriorating weather.
- Slow down. A calm pause is safer than a rushed transmission with a missed instruction.
Common questions
Who conducts RTR(A) Part 2 now?
DGCA conducts it. The Radio Telephone Operator (Restricted) Certificate and Licence Rules, 2025 moved responsibility from the WPC wing to DGCA, and DGCA began conducting the practical from January 2026.
How long is Part 2, and what is the pass mark?
Current reports put the practical at about 30 minutes with a 50% pass mark. Because the final CAR text was not available for this review, confirm these against your DGCA notice before relying on them.
Is there a theory viva in Part 2?
No separate theory viva is reported in the DGCA-era Part 2. It is described as a simulated radiotelephony exercise, with radio theory assessed separately in the written paper.
How many scenarios are there?
A common report describes six scenarios, but this is not confirmed by a primary document we could access. Treat the number and sequence as provisional until DGCA publishes or confirms the final pattern.
How many attempts do I get at Part 2?
Reports consistently describe up to three practical attempts within the three-year validity of the written paper. If those attempts are exhausted without a pass, you have to re-sit the written paper.
What does the examiner do during the test?
The reported arrangement is that the examiner briefs the situation and plays Air Traffic Control while you respond as the pilot. Details such as the number of people present may vary and are still being confirmed.
Does the Ready Aviator simulator replace the DGCA exam?
No. It is practice for radiotelephony decision-making and phraseology. It uses a representative format because the exact official scenario count and sequence are still being confirmed.